Railroad Bill - Lonnie Donegan

[hersbrucksouth]

Those of you that have ever played Skiffle would certainly be 'Boppin' listening to this,a great song ,telling the story of a not so great man, but who nevertheless made his mark in the world. now, all together,

"Railroad Bill Oh lordy Railroad Bill "!!

[deetammaro]

...and thank you as well for taking the te to post that wonderful bio, Fascinating, ESP. about the body being displayed for money. Love the history!

[deetammaro]

I adore this old song. There is a updated (quite different version) of it @ end credits of the 2002 movie "The Good Girl" -I can't seem to find this version(?) *Anyone know who the artist or band would be? Not on iTunes. )-; if anyone knows, could u post to me??

[calahondastrand]

i heard this wonderful song the first time when i was a boy 15 years old, and now again. a very good feeling. thanks for the upload and greetings from germany.

[N5505KD]

Who's that freak after the revolver picture, in the beginning

[765483]

SKIFFLE not COUNTRY, SKIFFLE!! SSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKIIIIFFFLEEEEEE­!!!

[sky12066sed3]

Mighty fine, thanks for sharing.

[ronandken]

Brilliant, any yanks listening to this check him right out

[jonbebad]

I much prefer the Walt Robertson version of the song that I have from the Smithsonian Institute's Classic Railroad Songs, but can't find it here. This IS a great old tune though!

[colombe96]

my cousin can play this :)

[malgray2]

I had an EP with this on it. I gave it away. Stupid really.

[Inkysdad]

@malgray2 Its now out on a c.d. compilation

[malgray2]

@Inkysdad. Dear inkysdad thanks for the info. Do you have any more information about where I could find it. Could I find it on iTunes?

[Inkysdad]

@malgray2 I have it on "Best of Skiffle" C.D. No.BX793792. C.D.No.2 of a set of three issued by DISKY Communications Europe B.V.,P.O.Box 249,1620 AE HOORN Netherlands.Hope this info useful to you

[malgray2]

@Inkysdad Thank you very much indeed! I'll check it out.

[malgray2]

@Inkysdad thank you very much indeed!

[Rikkyhardo]

Never heard this before ... thanks a lot maolchalium for the images, Lonnies song and a very informative description ... thumbs up at ya

[geosprucelee]

Lonnie Donegan was one of my favourites growing up in London England.Many Britsh rock groups attribute getting into bands because of Lonnie Donegan.

[pirate259]

Hey Maol,you did a real good job....Thanks Man:)

[HIPandiDONTmeanHOP]

Sometimes I almost forget that country music actually used to be country music.

[anty66]

Raw Donegan. Great Stuff!

[maolchalium]

Wish somebody would make a movie of Railroad Bill with this number in it.

[adamister9]

Never heard the story before I heard this masterpiece from Lonnie. Thanks for putting this up along with the summary. Another great performance from the King of Skiffle.

[HiWayLady49]

@maolchalium I would love to see a movie..but only if it portrayed the truth. Romanticized as a Robin Hood type, Bill was still no better than a murdering thief. But the legend that grew around him could make a movie every bit as entertaining as that Newman/Redford movie about those other two outlaws. Now who could we see as Railroad Bill?

[zaaritha]

Great!

[bulbheadmyass]

Love this version of this song.

[ccrdk]

Times are gone... colorful history, manipulated presence

[skuzboll]

Nice video...thanks for the history lesson too

[msdaizyjane]

thanx for the background; ive known the song for years, but not the story. peace.

[OSWAL008007]

HOLA

[xgi36]

The gun is a 38/44 38cal. built on a larger 44 frame, as you say this gives a steady rest to fire. Great song thanks for preserving this music.

[mashpotatobrains]

Thanks for going to the extent you have.I enjoyed reading the footnote!

[saullouis]

I wouldnt be suprised if Ramblin Jack learned this from Lonnie. Jack spent some time in the UK in the early 60s and he 1st recorded RR Bill around that time. Thanks to Lonnie and to Jack.

[evelynm29]

I have a version of this song on a CD with Lonnie Donegan and Van Morrison.

[pnomis]

I don't know who wrote it but Lonnie definitely got it from Leadbelly. The opening guitar riff is classic Leadbelly.

[bulbheadmyass]

What a great rendition of this song. Nice slide show too. Thx for posting it.

[peterallen3511]

Keep the Donnegan songs coming. They take me a long way back1

[creamofcardstv]

Your video clip is great and I've rated it as awesome. Please check out mine on some 1960's chart topping stars: Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Billy Furry, Lonnie Donegan, and Shirley Bassey.

[Alabammy3]

Railroad Bill is credited to Traditional,Arrangement Lonnie Donegan on Lon's CD Skiffle Sessions .Its possible it came from the same source as Rock Island Line that being Leadbelly. Its a great track from a great artist . The CD is A1 contains lots of early tracks

[commarx]

class.

[Dunitlucky]

Great I'd never heard this one of Donnegan, who wrote this song anyone know? super slides, you have inspired me to try this. Thanks

[JosephNScott]

No one knows who wrote the folk song, but it was around by 1909 at the latest, and very likely was already around as of about 1897. Some may have called him "Wild Bill McCoy" as suggested here, but "Railroad Bill," the legendary outlaw who inspired the song and lies dead in the 1897 photo seen at 2:02, was a guy named Morris Slater.

[Dunitlucky]

Do you know the names of all those in your photos on this? The one of the guy holding a rifle w/saddle on the ground & one following where the guy is on a horse, those seem to be Bill Pickett, he is credited with being the founder of todays' Rodeo event, called Bulldogging. Still get a real kick out of your video, keep up with your talent.

[Suzito]

This is T reffic!

[anty66]

This vintage Donegan wants a lot of beating. I love this early version. Thanks for a very apt presentation.